Smolensk region is located in the east of Russia, bordering two Belarusian regions. This is a primordially Slavic land that was inhabited by the Krivichi tribes in the VI century. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the Grand Duchy of Smolensk, the Commonwealth, and in the XVII century it finally joined the Russian state. What is depicted on the flag and coat of arms of the Smolensk region? What is the meaning of its symbols?
Area flag
The current flag was approved by the administration of the Smolensk region in 1998. Its significance indicates the heraldic continuity of symbolism, the rich history of the region, as well as its military and labor merits.
The flag background of the Smolensk region is completely red. It serves as a symbol of struggle and spilled blood. The region became a battlefield three times: during the Polish-Russian war (1654-1667), the war with the French (1812), and World War II.
At the top left is a reduced image of the coat of arms of the region. Two thin yellow stripes cross the flag horizontally below. They divide the composition into three unequal fields. The lower one is reminiscent of the Order of Lenin (a red ribbon with yellow stripes at the edges), which the region was awarded in 1958 for success in farming.
Yellow has other meanings on the flag. This is a historical symbol of the region and a sign of two fabulous birds - Gamayun and Phoenix. The latter is an eternal symbol of rebirth from the ashes. It serves as a kind of metaphor for the restoration of the Smolensk region after complete destruction during the warrior.
Coat of arms
The emblem of the Smolensk region was also approved in 1998. It has three variations, which differ from each other by the frame of the shield. In the simplest version, only a heraldic shield is depicted. It is rounded at the lower end, and at the top there are battlements symbolizing the Smolensk fortress wall. Until 1812, it was one of the main defense structures of the state.
The Smolensk region was part of the Belaya Rus region, as reported by the white color of the heraldic shield. In the center of the coat of arms is a cannon - a symbol of the region's long-standing military glory. On top of the cannon sits a golden bird Gamayun with three protruding feathers on his head.
Above the coat of arms of the Smolensk region, a red-white princely cap framed with gold and white pearls can also be depicted. It gives a reference to the times when the Smolensk region was part of the principality of the same name.
In the most extended version of the coat of arms, the cap is also present. In addition, the shield is framed on both sides by the red sash of Lenin. Below it is bordered by a white ribbon with the motto: “An unbending spirit will surpass everything”, once again pointing to the resilience of the Smolensk region in historical vicissitudes.
On the left side, green oak branches with acorns are woven into the ribbon, indicating military glory and valor of the region’s defenders. To the right are twisted flax with blue flowers. Flax is traditionally grown in the region and is its unofficial symbol. For its successful cultivation, the Smolensk region received the Order of Lenin.
Paradise Bird
Most likely, Gamayun came to Russian culture from Iran. This is a mythical bird flying to Earth directly from paradise. At first she was portrayed without legs and even without wings, only with a tail, with the help of which she flew. Later, wings and legs were added, and with them appeared the face of a man instead of a bird.
Gamayun had two opposite meanings. According to the first, she foreshadowed the misfortune and death of statesmen. In another sense, the bird symbolizes wealth, abundance and happiness. It was it that was taken for the coat of arms of the Smolensk region. Gamayun comes from paradise, that is, from outer space, therefore the author of the coat of arms connects her with Yuri Gagarin, who was born in the Smolensk region.
Historical area symbols
For a long time, the emblem of the region did not depict the symbols that we see now. Early coats of arms appear at a time when the region was part of Lithuania and the Commonwealth. Then the symbols of the Smolensk region were a walking bear or a banner, in the center of which there was a shield with gold iron in the middle. Another symbol was a visor with a band and a crown at the head, bordered by leaves below.
The gun and birds of Gamayun appeared several centuries later. They have been featured in local coats of arms since the 17th century. At first, they were deployed to the right (from the side of the viewer), and only in 1730 they were deployed to the left, as on the modern coat of arms.